Two things from Acts

Today while I was reading Acts I found two interesting things! I love it how you always find something new in what you read in the Bible! 

First, when Paul was arrested and taken before Festus, he appealed to Caesar. Paul had done nothing deserving of imprisonment but after they heard his testimony they had to send him to Caesar, because as King Agrippa told Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (Acts 26:32) But this was all a part of God's plan! Nothing can be done outside of God's will! He had already appeared to Paul and said to him in Acts 23:11 “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” God had planned for Paul to go and take His word to Rome and so Paul went to Rome. Paul was able to witness to the people on Malta and in Rome because of this journey. We need to remember that there is a reason for all that God does. It may not seem like such a good plan at first, I am sure Paul didn't want to go as a prisoner to Rome,but God works out everything for good! So trust in Him! 

Also, Paul was not alone on his journey! The book of Acts was written by Luke and many times he reverts to "us" and "we" instead of "them" or "they". This shows us that Luke was with Paul on many of his travels, the trip to Rome included. All through Acts 27 and 28, the account of the trip to Rome, he speaks of "we" and "us". I love that Luke was with Paul during his difficult journey! Having a friend and a traveling companion makes things brighter, and I am sure that Paul was encouraged by Luke being with him. We need to stand by our friends and encourage them through their hard times just as Luke did!